Ex-Dana Point mayor ponders past, future after 8 years on council

Former Dana Point Councilwoman Lara Anderson and her husband, Andrew, attend Tuesday night's council meeting, where she stepped aside after eight years. COURTESY OF CITY OF DANA POINT

Lara Anderson's service on the Dana Point City Council may be over after eight years, but she doesn't plan to disappear.

"Being uninvolved isn't my nature," she said after she left the council Tuesday night, having served the maximum two consecutive four-year terms. "I have invitations from local nonprofit groups to join their boards of directors, which I truly appreciate.

"But my kids are only 3 and 5 years old and they're growing up so fast. I need to be careful not to overextend myself, which I have a tendency to do.

Anderson, 42, served as mayor the past year – her second stint in that post. She was praised Tuesday by her council colleagues and members of the community as she said goodbye.

We asked her about her time on the council:

Q. What did you feel was your biggest accomplishment?

A. The biggest in scope and square footage is the Town Center plan. Since cityhood there have been several attempts to create a plan. To have one complete with Coastal Commission approval and ready to execute is a huge accomplishment. I was very involved as vice chair of the Town Center subcommittee, and I look forward to seeing what we put on paper come to life.

(The Town Center project aims to make the heart of town more pedestrian- and business-friendly. The $20 million plan in the works for 15 years would incorporate mixed-use structures, with residences above businesses, while creating two-way traffic flow on Pacific Coast Highway and Del Prado Avenue between Blue Lantern and Copper Lantern, with new street signs, signals, striping and beautification measures. Progress has been slow, but the city is about to begin on work on the entrance of the project, called the Town Center South Gateway, where Del Prado, PCH and Copper Lantern come together.)

But the project most near and dear to my heart are the dog fun zones. They have brought neighborhoods together, sparked new friendships and provide dogs a safe place to run off leash.

Q. What is one issue that went unresolved during your latest term and why?

A. The short-term-rental issue is still ongoing. Leaving it unresolved and pretending they don't exist cannot continue, and I trust the council will take action in the coming months. It's such a vital issue for all our residents and quality of life. I feel we're on a precipice, and if our neighborhoods are further commercialized, we will lose a lot of what we love about Dana Point.

(The city recently took up the issue of short-term vacation home rentals in the city. Currently there is a ban on such uses, but that ban is not enforced. Anderson has been opposed to lifting the ban in favor of regulations on short-term rentals and has made it clear she wants stepped-up enforcement. City staff is drafting a model ordinance for the new council to vote on.)

Q. In what direction do you see the new council heading?

A. Hopefully things will continue in the right direction with transparency, public participation and the majority of the council working in the best interest of our community. Everyone is supportive of moving Town Center forward. The only question is how to find the money to do it.

Q. What will you miss most about being on the council? What will you miss the least?

Related Links

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.